In the article, Thomas Kaplan points out that Democrats are making gains in some key races that, until recently, the Republicans had firmly counted on winning. Superstorm Sandy is part of the new dynamic, especially in a tight race in hard-hit Queens between Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., a Democrat, and Republican New York City Councilman Eric A. Ulrich.

"It's going to be close," said Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, of the Queens race. "All bets are off now."

Currently, the GOP controls the Senate 33 to 29. In the new 63-seat configuration, the controlling party must hold at least 32 seats.

Now, at least three races are expected to be close, according to DeFrancisco, including the Queens-based contest.

Sen. Stephan Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, is in a three-way race against fellow Republican Neil DiCarlo, running as a Conservative, and Democrat Terry Gipson. Saland voted for same-sex marriage last year and has the endorsement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"We think that's going to be close as well," said DeFrancisco, who is part of the Republican leadership in the Senate.

An open seat in Rochester is also a toss-up, DeFrancisco said. A poll last week by Sienna showed Democrat Ted O’Brien pulling ahead of Republican Assemblyman Sean T. Hanna.

The Times' article also says the Albany-area race -- in a newly created district meant to favor the GOP -- between Republican Assemblyman George Amedore and Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk is too close to predict.

DeFrancisco, however, said the Republicans have internal polling that gives the advantage to Amedore. "I think we should be fine there."